Project Description

The PCC funded Dr Mario Thevis (DE) via the micro-grant program to determine the applicability of SensAbues breath technology to anti-doping settings. The Swedish technology is confirmed to accurately detect both drugs of abuse and four classes of anti-doping substances, and has the potential to become an uninvasive, inexpensive option for in-competition testing in sport.

How it works:

The technology would collect ‘bioaerosol particles’, which are liquid microparticles created by the closing and opening of bronchioles during normal breathing processes. The particles form a ‘bioaserol’ which is exhaled alongside the breath, and can be filtered by the innovative technology developed at the Karolinska Institute. Collected particles can be used to detect drugs of abuse using analysis techniques with high sensitivity, for example liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry.

The technology has the potential to supplement current collection methods such as urine and blood samples, providing a less expensive, on-site collection option for anti-doping administrators, and a more pleasant sample collection experience for athletes.

Potential Breath Testing Benefits:

Less invasive alternative for in-competition testing offering the potential to supplement more intrusive collection methods such as urine and blood samples

Dr. Thevis has been funded by the PCC to perform additional pilot studies to confirm detection limits and windows of several classes of PEDs with an expected completion date of early 2018. A follow up field trial will confirm which one of several device prototypes is thought to best facilitate accurate and efficient collection and laboratory analysis, compare benefits of breath testing to those of oral fluid collections, and determine the impact, if any, of substances in the mouth (such as chewing tobacco). Field trials will also examine ease of use and athlete acceptance.